The Saints’ rookie class came out of preseason with a mixed but revealing snapshot, and a few names already stand out for very different reasons.
Christen Miller looked like the kind of defensive lineman who forces his way into the conversation fast. He wasn’t just productive; he was the Saints’ best run defender, and he handled double teams well.
That mattered more than expected, and it’s part of why the team may have a tough time keeping him off the field this season. Injuries did pop up along the way, but even with that in the picture, Miller kept pushing to get back out there.
On the other side of the ball, Jeremiah Wright built momentum the old-fashioned way. He played every game, got better each week, and finished preseason looking like a real bright spot up front.
His work in the run game stood out, and while he won’t open the season as a starter in Week 1, the Saints have shown before that they won’t wait long if a veteran is struggling. If Cesar Ruiz has issues, Kellen Moore may not sit on his hands.
The receiving group had its loudest moment in game three against the Cowboys, when Bryce Lance and Barion Brown showed exactly why they matter. Lance’s blocking was excellent, Brown’s athleticism kept him dangerous whenever he was on the field, and Moore used both of them well. That performance fit the larger preseason trend, but it gave the group one last strong statement before the games stopped counting.
Not every rookie had that kind of finish. Jordyn Tyson did not play in preseason at all, while Oscar Delp had a rough stretch and never managed to stay healthy.
Delp is still dealing with his injury, and his Week 1 status remains unknown. Even without the health issue, he’s still a developing tight end who needs time before he can make a real offensive impact.
Lorenzo Styles Jr. also enters the season with an injury issue of his own, and he’ll start on IR, which means he’ll miss the first four games. That’s never ideal for a rookie, but he was likely headed for special teams work anyway.
His preseason had some encouraging moments, but there were also coverage reps where he got beaten. He clearly wasn’t ready to start on defense, though that was never really the expectation.
TJ Hall Jr. didn’t make the 53-man roster, but the Saints brought him back on the practice squad, where the hope is that he can keep developing.
And then there’s Mason Murphy, a late addition after the 53-man roster deadline. The former Chicago Bears offensive lineman went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the Saints liked him enough to add him as depth. Murphy, who was Wright’s teammate at Auburn, can help at tackle or center if needed.
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Taysom Hills Saints Exit Leaves One Big Question Unanswered
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